Characteristics of a double-orifice nebulizer

Aerosol generation in a pneumatic nebulizer with a double-orifice nozzle was studied in the particle size range of 0.8–10 μm. It was found that the aerosol generation rate can be changed without significant changes in the aerosol size distribution by changing the distance between the orifices. The aerosol size distribution was modified by changing the input air pressure. A Wright type nebulizer was modified to produce a wider spectrum of particles.     

Synthesis and characterization of nanostructured carbons with controlled porosity prepared from sulfonated divinylbiphenyl copolymers

A series of porous carbons have been prepared by the carbonization of spherical porous sulfonated divinylbiphenyl (DVBPh) copolymers. Carbons in spherical bead form were obtained by the pyrolysis of H⁺, Na⁺, Cs⁺, Cu²⁺, Co²⁺ and Fe³⁺ forms of the sulfonated DVBPh beads. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in an inert nitrogen atmosphere (25-900 °C) was carried out on the DVBPh copolymer precursor, the sulfonated copolymer sample and various ionic forms of the resin. The TGA data provides evidence that the sulfonation process thermally stabilized the polymer resulting in a higher final carbon yield. It was found that the pyrolysis yield was ca. 40% for the sulfonic acid derivative and between 40% and 65% for the various sulfonic acid salts. The highest yield was observed for the monovalent sodium and cesium ionic forms of the sulfonated DVBPh copolymers. Low temperature nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms provided information on the porous structure of the polymer precursors and the carbons prepared from them. The pore structure in the carbons was found to a large extent to be similar to the porous structure of the starting sulfonated resin material, however, the metal form was found to impact on the micropore structure of the resulting carbons. The carbon materials prepared were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to provide information on the form of the residual sulfur in the carbons. XPS results suggest that the ionic form of the sulfonic resin influences the amount and the form of the sulfur and this may be correlated with the yield of the final carbon.     

The quadratic electrooptic effect and estimation of antipolarization in ADP

The quadratic electrooptic coefficients g₁₁₁₁ and g₂₂₁₁ have been measured interferometrically in ADP at room temperature. In addition, ‖g₁₁₁₁-g₂₂₁₁‖ was determined by a dynamic polarimetric technique at the same temperature. Both experiments yield values for g₁₁₁₁-g₂₂₁₁ at 21 C and λ = 0.633 μm with an average of (-5.9±0.5)×10^-20 m²/V². An estimate is made, using this value, of the spontaneous antipolarization appearing in the antiferroelectric phase of ADP. This antipolarization is found to be comparable in magnitude with the spontaneous polarizations observed in ferroelectrics belonging to the KDP family of crystals.     

Nanoarchitectonics: Complexes and Conjugates of Platinum Drugs with Silicon Containing Nanocarriers. An Overview

The development in the area of novel anticancer prodrugs (conjugates and complexes) has attracted growing attention from many research groups. The dangerous side effects of currently used anticancer drugs, including cisplatin and other platinum based drugs, as well their systemic toxicity is a driving force for intensive search and presents a safer way in delivery platform of active molecules. Silicon based nanocarriers play an important role in achieving the goal of synthesis of the more effective prodrugs. It is worth to underline that silicon based platform including silica and silsesquioxane nanocarriers offers higher stability, biocompatibility of such the materials and pro-longed release of active platinum drugs. Silicon nanomaterials themselves are well-known for improving drug delivery, being themselves non-toxic, and versatile, and tailored surface chemistry. This review summarizes the current state-of-the-art within constructs of silicon-containing nano-carriers conjugated and complexed with platinum based drugs. Contrary to a number of other reviews, it stresses the role of nano-chemistry as a primary tool in the development of novel prodrugs.     

High incidence of aneurysm formation following patch plasty repair of coarctation

Repair of aortic coarctation was performed in 152 adolescent and adult patients (mean age 28.5 years, range 14-67 years). Ninety patients were treated with patch plasty, 33 with end-to-end anastomosis, 18 with interposition of a tubular graft, 6 with prosthetic bypass and 5 with direct plasty. There were two (1.3%) early and ten (6.6%) late deaths after 2.9 to 11.8 (mean 6.6) years. Of the remaining 140 patients, 129 (92.1%) were reexamined with computed tomography and angiography after 1.5 to 17.2 (mean 9.1) years postoperatively. In 27 patients (35.1%) of the patch plasty group significant dilatation at the operative site was observed and reoperation for aneurysm formation was required in 15 patients (19.5%). Resection of the intimal crest did not increase the probability of aneurysm formation, whereas Dacron as patch material and late hypertension had a significant influence. Six of the ten late deaths occurred in the patch plasty group. Rupture of an aneurysm at the operative site was proved in two of these patients, and three patients died suddenly for unknown reasons. In the other groups significant dilatation was observed in 13 patients and 3 local aneurysms required reoperation (2 after end-to-end anastomosis and 1 after direct plasty). We conclude that patch plasty repair of coarctation should be abandoned in adults. End-to-end anastomosis is advisable only if possible without excessive tension. Reoperation with interposition of a tubular graft on left heart bypass proved to be a safe method.     

Use of Glucose-Galactose Concentrates in Beer Production

Three kinds of demineralized and non-demineralized glucose-galaktose concentrates obtained from whey or partially refined lactose, were substituted for barley malt in brewers wort. Demineralized concentrates can be substituted for up to 50% of the malt extract in wort without negatively affecting the technological process of beer production or the quality of the final product. Beer produced with concentrates added showed high quality, flavour and smell, being in most cases quantitatively superior to the control beer. Substitution for the extract by non-demineralized concentrate showed that while a 10% substitution did not negatively affect the quality of beer, increased proportions of 25 and 50 per cent produced a salty taste.